FN FNS-40

Posted Jun 15, 2023

The FN FNS-40 is a popular handgun designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Columbia, South Carolina. This full-sized, striking, ergonomically designed weapon comes in long slide or compact versions to fulfill the needs of a range of shooters. It has been widely praised for its comfort, accuracy, and added features.

For starters, let’s take a look at the design of the FNS-40. It features an FN-designed grip that features a three-sided, textured design for a secure hold. The gun also features a stainless steel slide with an external extractor and a black finish that provides protection from the elements. The barrel is also cold hammer-forged for maximum accuracy and the gun comes with adjustable sights. All in all, the design makes for a comfortable and ergonomic handgun that is easy on the eyes and the hands.

Next, let’s look at the performance of the FNS-40. The gun is able to reliably and accurately shoot .40 caliber rounds with a 4” or 5" barrel, depending on what version of the gun is purchased. It also features a double-action/single-action system with a single-action trigger that is smooth and predictable. This makes it ideal for accurate and precise target shooting. Additionally, the gun is also equipped with several features that make it a great home defense weapon. These features include an ambidextrous slide stop, an extended beavertail, and an optional manual safety.

Speaking of safety, the FNS-40 is also incredibly safe and reliable. It is equipped with a loaded chamber indicator, which is a small pin that moves out of the chamber when a round is in it. It also features a double action safety that prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled. The gun also has an interchangeable back strap, giving users the opportunity to personalize the grip size as well as the trigger reach to fit their hand better.

The FNS-40 is also a relatively affordable gun. Depending on what version of the gun is purchased, prices range from $400 to $700. While it may not be the cheapest option out there, the gun packs a lot of value and is a great choice for a wide range of shooters.

So, in conclusion, the FN FNS-40 is a great handgun for target shooting, home defense, or simply for range use. It is comfortable to use, accurate, and reliable. It comes with several features that make it an ideal choice for shooters of varying experience levels. And most importantly, it is also relatively affordable, making it a great option for anyone looking for an affordable but reliable handgun.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Reliable and durable: The FN FNS-40’s reputation for reliability and durability is well-deserved. The company has a history of quality manufacturing with attention to detail that closely follows military specifications.

Modular design: The FNS-40 has an easily customizable design that makes it fun to shoot. With its interchangeable backstraps, interchangeable sights, and its accessory rail, users can customize the gun to fit their shooting needs.

Quality ammo: FN uses only the highest quality ammunition in its guns, which means that the FNS-40 is designed to shoot well and accurately with any of the major brands available on the market.

Cons:

High cost: While FN is known for high quality, it typically comes at a higher price than many of its competitors. The FNS-40 is no exception, and many shooters may find it to be pricier than some competitors in the same category and caliber.

Heavy trigger pull: The FNS-40 comes standard with a heavy trigger pull. Some shooters may find this to be a pro instead of a con because it allows for a safer weapon — as long as you keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot. But many also find it to be a con as it may be difficult to properly and smoothly pull the trigger to get the most accurate shots.

Shallower magazine: Finally, some shooters have noted that the magazine for the FNS-40 is shallower than its competitors. This can lead to an uncomfortable shooting experience as your fingers may have to contort themselves in order to fit — or you may not be able to fit as many fingers on the magazine as you would like.

Who Should Buy

Anyone considering buying a firearm should do their research and be sure the gun they are considering is the right fit for their purpose, shooting style, and budget. The FN FNS-40 is a full-size pistol designed for personal defense and law enforcement use. It has an 18-round magazine capacity, a chamber loaded indicator, and a beaver tail grip safety for enhanced accuracy and control.

This gun is not necessarily the best choice for new shooters, as the recoil might be more difficult for a beginner to manage, and the lack of night sights might make target shooting in low light conditions more difficult. People who are experienced shooters and have an adequate budget should consider the FNS-40. Those who plan to use it in a law enforcement or personal defense role should also consider this gun as it does offer reliable performance, accuracy, and safety features.

Comparisons

SPEC	FN FNS-40	SMITH & WESSON PERFORMANCE CENTER PC1911	WILSON COMBAT CQB TACTICAL LE	HECKLER & KOCH HK 416
Caliber	.40 S&W	.45 ACP	.45 ACP	5.56 NATO
Capacity	14+1	8+1	8+1	30+1
Barrel Length	4”	5”	5"	16”
Weight (empty)	25.2 oz	39.8 oz	42 oz	7.92 lb
Finish/Color	Matte Black	Flat Dark Earth	Armor-Tuff® Graphite Black	Matte Black
Sights	3-Dot	3-Dot	Battlesight®	Flip-Up
Action	Double-Action	Single and Double Action	Single-Action	Semi-Auto

Features / Specs

• Caliber: .40 S&W

• Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds (Standard)

• Barrel Length: 4.0” (Stainless steel)

• Overall Length: 7.25"

• Weight: 25.2 oz

• Height: 5.5"

• Sight Radius: 6.25"

• Rear Sight: Novak 3-Dot

• Front Sight: Fixed

• Trigger Pull: 5 - 7 lbs

• Slide Material: Stainless Steel

• Frame: Black Polymer

• MSRP: $579.00

Popular Accessories

L pistol

The most popular accessories for the FN FNS-40L pistol are:

Magazine extendors to increase capacity

High visibility replacement sights

Suppressors or silencers

Lasers or flashlight attachments

Extended slide releases

Over-sized magazine and slide releases

Trigger kits

Magazine holsters

Custom grip and stippling

Customized slides.

Accuracy

The FN FNS-40 is an excellent and reliable polymer-framed handgun. This specific model has proven to be very accurate, with the ability to keep its shots within the center mass of a standard target from a variety of extended distances. For experienced shooters, the FN FNS-40 is capable of easily nailing head shots at a range of 15 yards. While results may vary, the majority of consumers have noted that this gun typically keeps everything within a 3-inch circle from a distance of 25 yards. On the whole, shooters can be confident in their ability to hit their mark with the FN FNS-40.